Simple and well acted, it has tension enough to knot the stomach.

Go in cold, and you're likely to emerge with your blood boiling. This has to be seen to be believed.

All that we are seeing on the screen is happening with real people, real action sequences in the background, forcing the eye to watch as if we were there.

One of those movie experiences that is so good it makes you realize you've been grading everything else on a curve.

Fruits Basket the anime series only contains 26 episodes, but the comic version includes a lot more chapters & story lines.For those of you who have unresolved questions about this anime series, you can try to find out the answers from the Fruits Basket comics.I personally am a big fan of Fruits Basket also, and I don't usually write review. Just don't want anyone who likes this anime and doesn't know about the comic part.I am required to write more lines to get posted. If you read the comics, please be patient. I am not sure if there is an English translation version on this particular comics.Just added on this review recently, I was very touched when Honda hugged the rabbit, why? It is for you to find out.

I'll have to admit..I wasn't expecting much out of FB, but when I watched it..I just couldn't stop!! 2 recommendations: first AND MOST IMPORTANT...READ THE MANGA!!!, it's so so much better and the story continues a lot more and it's even more awesome...I was so glad with the anime that started the manga (I only did that for NANA and now FB) and I was so happy..the story is much more complete (about the characters feelings, about the 12th juunishi,they also tell the story of how Toru's mom met his dad,and a lot of other things,characters that are missing in the anime, and connections between each other that are also lacking), with a lot more character development and you end up 5 times happier than with the anime, easily. Second of all, please watch the anime subbed, not dubbed, because the English voice SUCK, there, I said it, they suck. Now...about the story, it's great, if you like bittersweet, slice of life anime/mangas, you will definitely love this, it makes you cry and laugh a bunch of times..and although the story is fictional, you can relate with the emotions of the characters really well. They story is about a girl who's parents are dead and she ends up living with two guys that are cursed by the spirits of the animal zodiacs,but I guess you all know that already :) believe me, there much,much much to Fruits Basket than what you think there is.

I have finished watching all 26 episodes of "Fruits Basket" {Released on DVD in 2007} and based on the Manga series by Natsuki Takaya.I think that "Fruits Basket" is a wonderful anime. It does have certain differences from the Manga which are well outlined in the Wikipedia article on the latter. But this is common in anime adaptations of Manga. "Fruits Basket" Anime ends about a third through the entire Manga series, but does so in such a way that the viewer is very much aware that the end of a crucial stage in the development of the characters has been reached, leaving the way open for further growth. Thus, we experience a real satisfaction and catharsis at the end of Episode 26.One major theme is the situation of the outsider in society. Tohru is presented at the opening as a complete exile, living in a tent, her only solace coming from a photograph of her dead mother. She is adopted into the Sohma household, but that family is also outside society. The members live under a curse which prevents them from having fulfilled relationships with others outside their group. Even within the family exiles and outcasts are present. The sinister Akito, pays a terrible price for being the undisputed ruler of the Sohmas. Yuki yearns for the love of a mother and normal acceptance by others. Kyo is rejected by nearly everyone in the Sohma family and thus develops an aggressive anger which only further isolates him. In school, Tohru is under the protection of the gentle Hanajima who nonetheless is feared and avoided by other girls because of her strange psychic powers.Tohru, a young teenager, is presented as sweet, loving and sacrificial. As the anime develops, these characteristics will be constantly tested in varying ways. In one case she befriends a child who is mute owing to mockery by bullies at school. In another she must relate to a brat who has developed a nasty personality as a defence mechanism because of his Mother's rejection. {In fact, one criticism of FB is the extraordinary number of parents who reject, neglect, dislike, or simply dump their children.} Incidents like these add a remarkable strength and resilience to Tohru's character. She is no goody-goody who solves problems by being a doormat. A the end she goes through successive cauldrons of emotional crises which put her in some physical danger. Yet she must face these if she is to validate her self and the promise she made to her dead mother. Hence, we have the typical Shoujo process of moral and psychological growth and empowerment.The final episode is so moving, so emotional, and so beautiful that it will remain long in the memory and the heart.

Wow, I am blown back with this. This Anime has really just made me feel, well I can't describe it, but I tell you what, it has all the qualities of what I look for in a good Anime or a good Movie. And really I'm impressed. After reading the first volume of the Manga series, and keeping that all in mind, I wasn't sure how I would react to this adaptation. But of course I found it spectacular. I tell you I don't think I've seen quite another story like this one. I mean it sounds like the dumbest thing on earth, but when you really start getting into it, it's just wonderful. Glad I didn't judge this book by it's cover.Story/Adaptation: Very nicely done. While some of the literal translations seemed a little much, and there we're certain sort of mix ups and cut outs it's really quite good. Because mind you, writing a Manga and a Screenplay are no easy tasks. Especially trying to adapt into an X amount of time for a series. So it was really nicely done. They really bring the characters out, (as is common in Shoujo) and no one really get's needlessly lost in translation. With nicely constructed duologue (Although it is easy when you have a cheat sheet) and nicely paced. Maybe it can be slow, but it doesn't bother me to much. After all this is a Shoujo/Comedy/Drama Anime so it's only natural for it to be on the slow side. And the story in General, of course I'll be treading into the Manga a bit, but it's really nice. I've only read Volume 1 but I've exceeded that with watching disc one of the DVD. I love the drama it creates, Tohru is all alone in the world it seems, but she has so many people that care for her. Two friends that are so fiercely loyal to her, it's amazing. Thoru is such a happy-go-lucky girl, but she's also very selfless. I like when characters aren't warped in vanity, that just drives me nuts when they are so vain. Even the infatuated Prince Yuki Fan Club President, has a soft side to her. Some of the other aspects I loved, strong sense of freindship. Hanna and Uoh, thoes two, just have hearst of gold. They love Tohru like a sister, and you can just tell they want to take care of her and protect her. They seem like the type who would take a baseball bat to a persons head if that person harmed Thoru.Acting: VERY NICE! A very superbness dub, and you people say all dubs suck. I got to tell you it's filled me with a bit of confidence for when FUNI dubs Tusbasa. Laura Bailey does absolutely wonderful with Tohru. Although her Japanese counter part is much higher, she really brings the character out well. I don't find any voices to be on the really annoying side. At least the guys sound like guys, and gals sound like Gals. (Even if Yuki is a bit of a she-male) Original Score: Rather weak. Nice usage, but could be better in my opinion. But not so bad. Some nice movements, but the themes aren't so wonderful. But still at least there are memorable melodies in this series, as opposed to no music at all. That Piano Theme at the end of Episode 25 was, wow amazing. Animation: Superbious quality. What more can I say?Overall: This has really been on my mind quite a bit lately. And it's become one of my Favorites. It's a nice shoujo even for soft guys like me. I strongly recommend it to just about anyone who is looking for a great comedy-drama b/c I enjoyed it. This Anime has just moved me to tears at times, I was bawling in the end it so sweet. It has given me just warm feelings all around So check this out, you might just like it.